Paraphrasing

WHAT is a Paraphrase? = rewording of another writer's

text, explanation, argument, or narrative

Length approx.= original text ( NOT simplified)

w/ DIFFERENT wording & sentence structure

Paraphrasing

WHY paraphrase? to make sure you completely

understand a text to directly discuss sb’s argument/text to use as expert evidence for a point

you’re making to present an opposing point of view

you want to refute

Paraphrasing

HOW to Paraphrase a text? 1. use alternative wording to the

writer’s throughout your paraphrase.

2. if the author’s words are used to name important ideas, use quotation marks to enclose his/her phrases

Paraphrasing

How to paraphrase a text (cont.) 3. ALWAYS use your own words &

sentence structure to present the ideas of original, otherwise (even following the author’s sentence structure!) it’s considered plagiarised!

4. CITE your source.

Paraphrasing

How to paraphrase a text (cont.) 5. Use your own word to introduce the

topic if a paraphrase is included in your text and ALSO use expressions such as “Smith argues that…”, “According to …,” or “Lee also claims that…” to present someone else’s ideas

Paraphrasing

Example 1: From The New Century Handbook Original Text "If you're coping with an illness or want to

exchange views about a medical topic, you'll want to find your way to a newsgroup. Despite the name, these are not collections of news items. They are, in effect, virtual bulletin boards open to anyone who cares to participate. The messages generally consist of plain text" (Schwartz 28).

Paraphrasing

Example 1 Paraphrase In a recent Consumer Reports article, the

author suggests finding a relevant newsgroup if you have a particular medical problem or if you want to talk with others about a medical subject. Newsgroups are online bulletin boards that are available to anyone; in spite of their name, they are not news reports. Anyone who wishes to may join in a newsgroup discussion (Schwartz 28).

Paraphrasing

Example 2: From Rules for Writers Original Text “In some respects, the increasing frequency of

mountain lion encounters in California has as much to do with a growing human population as it does with rising mountain lion numbers.  The scenic solitude of the western ranges is prime cougar habitat, and it is falling swiftly to the developer’s spade.  Meanwhile, with their ideal habitat already at its carrying capacity, mountain lions are forcing younger cats into less suitable terrain, including residential areas.  Add that cougars have generally grown bolder under a lengthy ban on their being hunted, and an unsettling scenario begins to emerge” (Rychnovsky, “Clawing into Controversy,”

Paraphrasing

Example 2 Paraphrase Californians are encountering mountain lions

more frequently because increasing numbers of humans and a rising population of lions are competing for the same territory.  Humans have moved into mountainous regions once dominated by the lions, and the wild habitat that is left cannot sustain the current lion population.  Therefore, the older lions are forcing younger lions out of the wilderness and into residential areas.  And because of a ban on hunting, these younger lions have become bolder—less fearful of encounters with humans.

References

Hult, Christine A., and Thomas N. Huckin. The New Century Handbook.  Boston: Allyn & Bacon, 1999.  207-208.

Hacker, Diana.  Rules for Writers.  5th ed.  Boston:  Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2004.  398-399.

BCWC Paraphrasing Tips: http://www.bridgewater.edu/WritingCenter/Workshops/paraphrastips.htm

HINTS

Break long sentences into shorter ones, and combine short sentences for variety.

Move the position of phrases for clearer sentences.

Use a thesaurus for synonyms, but be careful of subtle changes in the meaning of words. For example, to express does not necessarily have the same meaning as to vent.

Make sure your paraphrase considers the complete meaning of the original quotation.

Be sure to cite original ideas that are not your own.

Exercise

Write a paraphrase of the following paragraph: "Beginning in 1952, television caused

structural as well as superficial changes in American politics. That year, delegates of both parties were warned that the probing television lenses could capture every movement they made in their chairs. They were admonished to be careful about what they said to one another lest lip readers pick up the conversation from the television screen. Women delegates were cautioned against affronting blue-collar viewers by wearing showy jewelry" (Donovan and Scherer 21).

Paraphrase: Write it in Your Own Words

Some useful steps: Find alternative expressions for the

original passage From the level of words or vocabulary

phrase sentences paragraph Use your own words, phrases,

sentences, paragraphs by either replacing the original ones and reordering the order of words and sentences

Change of words

Paraphrasing exercise 1: Vast abundant Exert have Fragility weakness/demerit/disadvantage

Paraphrasing exercise 2: Against the law illegal/unlawful/illegitimate Liquor alcohol/spirit Organized systematic/planned Powerless unable/incapable Heroes idols Symbolized represented/stood for

Change the part of speech of a word

Very often, you can change the part of speech of a word to make up a new term or phrase

Examples: She symbolized America’s break with the

past i. Being/As the symbol of America’s break

with the past, she …… ii. She is symbolic of America’s break the

with past

Modern products are standardized which is one of the phenomena of the capitalist society

i. The standardization of products is one of the characteristics of the capitalist society

ii. One of the symptoms of the capitalist society is the standardization of products [more overtly negative and critical statement]

Some examples to compare

The original passage: Students frequently overuse direct quotation

in taking notes, and as a result they overuse quotations in the final [research] paper. Probably only about 10% of your final manuscript should appear as directly quoted matter. Therefore, you should strive to limit the amount of exact transcribing of source materials while taking notes. Lester, James D. Writing Research Papers. 2nd ed. (1976): 46-47.

A legitimate paraphrase

In research papers students often quote excessively, failing to keep quoted material down to a desirable level. Since the problem usually originates during note taking, it is essential to minimize the material recorded verbatim (Lester 46-47).

An acceptable summary:

Students should take just a few notes in direct quotation from sources to help minimize the amount of quoted material in a research paper (Lester 46-47).

A plagiarized version

Students often use too many direct quotations when they take notes, resulting in too many of them in the final research paper. In fact, probably only about 10% of the final copy should consist of directly quoted material. So it is important to limit the amount of source material copied while taking notes.

The difference between summary and paraphrase

Paraphrase is to reword but not to shorten the original passage

Summary involves shortening and rewording

Summarizing always requires paraphrasing but paraphrasing does not necessarily requires summarizing

Summarizing

Step 1

Read the original text thoroughly understand its overall meaning Read between the lines pick up 'hidden' information Unfamiliar words use a dictionary

Step 2

Underline or highlight the main points of the text

Ignore: unnecessary facts, descriptions opinions

Step 3

Make a note of the most important details

Draw a diagram Use pictures

Step 4

Use your own words to write the main points that you’ve chosen

Use synonym (two words that can be interchanged in a context) to replace some main words in the original textE.g. Soccer betting Soccer gambling

Step 5

Summarise by linking together the key points using sentences or paragraphs

Stick to the ideas from the author Use your own words Do NOT copy words to words from the

original text

Shortening a very long text

Use headings E.g. A. History of English

Sub-headings E.g. 1.1 French in English

When you finish…

Read your draft Make sure: you haven't lost the

overall point of the original information

Make amendments

A written summary – Do’s

Brief & easy to read Contain the main points of the

original text In your own words Correct grammar, punctuation and

sentences

A written summary – Don'ts

DON’T just copy out 'chunks' of the original version

DON’T contain information, descriptions or opinions that do not support the general meaning of the text